Expedition Canada

Odorous Wood Thu July 29th I've remarked in the past about how clean the Coast's beaches are, though this morning Jack sniffed out some unusual flotsam. He has taken to chewing on mussel and other shells on the seashore, though this morning his attention was taken by something flapping around on the shore.  A crab, I thought.  A bat it turned out.  Rather bedraggled, probably as a result of an accidental water landing.  I started to gather it up when it showed its teeth, spread its wings, and flapped about a bit.  Mindful a bat bite may not be good for your health, I searched around for something to gather it up. Fellow Brit Alan, who has an extremely large but very gentle Rhodesian Ridgeback, ambled over.  I hauled the dog back, Jack already having lost interest and Alan was as surprised as I had been to see our beach-bat. Coaxed onto the side of Jack's retractable lead case the bat was gentle lowered into some secluded and shaded beach-side vegetatio...

Racoons and Reflections Fri Jul 23rd Sat Jul 24th The last vestiges of snow in the gullies and ravines of Mt Windsor (we think its Mt Windsor) are quickly disappearing.  The small snow cap on the very top has gone.  Another week and it will have disappeared completely. When we arrived three weeks ago the peaks and ridges were still shrouded in snow, despite the heatwave.  At sea level its about 26 C today (Saturday), at 1689m, probably a lot cooler. Friday the bars for the roof-rack were delivered, but not the rails, even though they were despatched at the same time.  $168 for a next day delivery and the bars took three days and the rails have not moved from the distribution centre since they were received on Tuesday.  Monday, I am told.  I remain to be convinced.   The rest of Friday I spent setting up the workshop and completing my first turning project.  A large fruit bowl turned from Magnolia wood. It is the first time...